Weare drug case involves Auburn, Manchester men

MANCHESTER — A Weare police investigation into drug activity in that town resulted in the arrest of an Auburn man and a raid and an arrest in Manchester Thursday night.

Weare Police Sgt. Joseph Kelley told Circuit Court-Manchester District Division Judge Gregory Michael Friday that the investigation and reverse sting operation resulted first in the arrest of David Lemon, 52, of 204 Hooksett Road, Auburn, on misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled drug (marijuana) and having a controlled drug in a vehicle, and a felony charge of possession with intent to distribute.

The Manchester Police Special Investigations Unit and Patrol Division assisted Weare by executing a search warrant at 114 Jewett St., where Justin Tavares, 20, was arrested.

.Manchester Police Prosecutor Carrissa Pelletier said police recovered six pounds of marijuana, 58 grams of Methylone (also known as M1), $4,000 in cash, scales and packaging equipment at Tavares’ residence...He was charged with two felony counts of possession of a controlled drug with intent to distribute.

Pelletier sought $50,000 cash/surety bail for Tavares, who has three previous drug-related convictions in several New Hampshire communities, as well as a felony theft conviction...Tavares, who said he is unemployed and lives with his mother, objected to the bail. “I feel that’s very high,” he said, adding that his previous convictions were for small amounts of marijuana.

The judge disagreed. Noting this is Tavares’ fourth set of drug charges, Michael said: “I think it’s more than appropriate.”..Because no plea can be entered to a felony charge in Circuit Court, a probable cause hearing for Tavares was set for Aug. 5.

Lemon’s bail had been set by a bail commissioner at $5,000 cash/surety and $25,000 personal recognizance. Lemon asked for a cash/surety bail reduction, saying: “I’m not a flight risk. I’m not a violent man.”

He added that he has work he needs to do.

Kelley said although Lemon’s record dates back to 1977, his last offense was a habitual offender conviction. The judge then reduced Lemon’s cash/surety bail to $1,000, leaving the personal recognizance bail at $25,000.

Lemon’s charges were set for a hearing July 25 in Circuit Court-Goffstown District Division...Says mom needs him

Ali Means, 31, of 275 Manchester St., pleaded innocent Friday in Circuit Court-Manchester District Division to a misdemeanor charge of a violation of a domestic violence protective order. He’s accused of calling the woman who obtained the order...Means assured Judge Gregory Michael that he would not contact the woman and asked that his $1,000 cash/surety bail be reduced. Means said he is unemployed, but does things for his mother. “She needs me,” he said. Michael changed the bail to $1,000 personal recognizance and trial was set for Aug. 21...Won’t see his kids

Because he was out on bail on another matter, scheduled for trial in September, Thomas Parker, was ordered held over the weekend for a bail revocation hearing Monday in Circuit Court-Manchester District Division.

Parker, 32, whose address is listed as a homeless shelter, was arraigned Friday in Circuit Court on a felony charge of possession of a narcotic, and a probable cause hearing was set for Aug. 5.

Police investigating suspected drug activity in the area of Lowell and Maple streets Thursday stopped a vehicle in which Parker was the front seat passenger. Police said a small bag suspected to be heroin (.3 grams) was recovered from the area where Parker had been seated and said further investigation indicated Parker had been in possession of the heroin...Parker asked if he could get out on bail, telling Judge Gregory Michael: “I have children I’m supposed to take care of this weekend.”

But prosecutors declined to withdraw the motion and Parker will be held until the Monday hearing, when his court-appointed lawyer will be able to try and persuade the judge not to have Parker held until his September trial and to set bail on the new charge. As he was led from the courtroom by deputies, Parker called out to a woman in the courtroom to kiss the children for him...